US20060226501A1 - Collapsing zipper varactor with inter-digit actuation electrodes for tunable filters - Google Patents
Collapsing zipper varactor with inter-digit actuation electrodes for tunable filters Download PDFInfo
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- US20060226501A1 US20060226501A1 US11/092,022 US9202205A US2006226501A1 US 20060226501 A1 US20060226501 A1 US 20060226501A1 US 9202205 A US9202205 A US 9202205A US 2006226501 A1 US2006226501 A1 US 2006226501A1
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- 239000003990 capacitor Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 27
- 239000000758 substrate Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 15
- 238000005452 bending Methods 0.000 claims description 6
- 229910021420 polycrystalline silicon Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 6
- 229920005591 polysilicon Polymers 0.000 claims description 6
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 claims description 5
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 5
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 230000009471 action Effects 0.000 description 8
- 238000004088 simulation Methods 0.000 description 4
- 230000008859 change Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000004075 alteration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001413 cellular effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000001914 filtration Methods 0.000 description 1
- PCHJSUWPFVWCPO-UHFFFAOYSA-N gold Chemical compound [Au] PCHJSUWPFVWCPO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000010931 gold Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052737 gold Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000012212 insulator Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000009467 reduction Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H59/00—Electrostatic relays; Electro-adhesion relays
- H01H59/0009—Electrostatic relays; Electro-adhesion relays making use of micromechanics
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01G—CAPACITORS; CAPACITORS, RECTIFIERS, DETECTORS, SWITCHING DEVICES OR LIGHT-SENSITIVE DEVICES, OF THE ELECTROLYTIC TYPE
- H01G5/00—Capacitors in which the capacitance is varied by mechanical means, e.g. by turning a shaft; Processes of their manufacture
- H01G5/16—Capacitors in which the capacitance is varied by mechanical means, e.g. by turning a shaft; Processes of their manufacture using variation of distance between electrodes
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01G—CAPACITORS; CAPACITORS, RECTIFIERS, DETECTORS, SWITCHING DEVICES OR LIGHT-SENSITIVE DEVICES, OF THE ELECTROLYTIC TYPE
- H01G5/00—Capacitors in which the capacitance is varied by mechanical means, e.g. by turning a shaft; Processes of their manufacture
- H01G5/16—Capacitors in which the capacitance is varied by mechanical means, e.g. by turning a shaft; Processes of their manufacture using variation of distance between electrodes
- H01G5/18—Capacitors in which the capacitance is varied by mechanical means, e.g. by turning a shaft; Processes of their manufacture using variation of distance between electrodes due to change in inclination, e.g. by flexing, by spiral wrapping
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H59/00—Electrostatic relays; Electro-adhesion relays
- H01H59/0009—Electrostatic relays; Electro-adhesion relays making use of micromechanics
- H01H2059/0063—Electrostatic relays; Electro-adhesion relays making use of micromechanics with stepped actuation, e.g. actuation voltages applied to different sets of electrodes at different times or different spring constants during actuation
Abstract
According to one embodiment a microelectromechanical (MEMS) switch is disclosed. The MEMS switch includes a substrate, a plurality of actuation electrodes mounted on the substrate, a plurality of bottom electrodes mounted on the substrate, a capacitor having subcomponents mounted on the two or more bottom electrodes and a top bendable electrode mounted on the substrate. The top electrode collapses a first magnitude towards the actuation electrodes whenever a first voltage is applied to one or more of the actuation electrodes and collapses a second magnitude towards the actuation electrodes whenever a second voltage is applied to the actuation electrodes.
Description
- The present invention relates generally to micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) and, more specifically, the present invention relates to a MEMS varactors.
- Micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) devices have a wide variety of applications and are prevalent in commercial products. One type of MEMS device is a MEMS varactor (variable capacitor). A MEMS RF varactor may be used for RF filter frequency tuning to enhance the wireless system's capability. A tunable RF filter includes one or more MEMS varactors arranged in the filter circuit. The MEMS varactor is ideal for wireless devices because of their low power characteristics and ability to operate in radio frequency ranges. MEMS RF varactors show their promising applications in cellular telephones, wireless computer networks, communication systems, and radar systems. In wireless devices, MEMS RF varactors may be used for tunable antenna, tunable filter banks, etc.
- MEMS varactors may be implemented to provide solutions for achieving capacitance tuning for RF applications, such as tunable filters. Most varactors include a single gap, which limits tuning ratio. Thus, the gap is the same at both capacitor and actuation regions. Such structure has the advantage of simple fabrication. However, the top electrode can only be moved down to approximately one-third of the air gap before the “pull-in” occurs. This causes an abrupt increase of capacitance that cannot be used beyond this point for a continuous tuning application.
- The present invention will be understood more fully from the detailed description given below and from the accompanying drawings of various embodiments of the invention. The drawings, however, should not be taken to limit the invention to the specific embodiments, but are for explanation and understanding only.
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FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a wireless communications system; -
FIG. 2A illustrates a cross section view of one embodiment of a RF MEMS varactor; -
FIG. 2B illustrates a schematic of one embodiment of a RF MEMS varactor; -
FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of one embodiment of a RF MEMS varactor; -
FIG. 4 illustrates a cross section view of another embodiment of a RF MEMS varactor; -
FIG. 5 illustrates a cross section view of yet another embodiment of a RF MEMS varactor; -
FIG. 6 illustrates a cross section view of still another embodiment of a RF MEMS varactor; -
FIG. 7 illustrates a cross section view of another embodiment of a RF MEMS varactor; -
FIG. 8 is a graph illustrating one embodiment of simulation results; -
FIG. 9A illustrates a cross section view of another embodiment of a RF MEMS varactor; -
FIG. 9B illustrates a schematic of another embodiment of a RF MEMS varactor; -
FIG. 10 illustrates a top view of one embodiment of a RF MEMS varactor; -
FIG. 11 illustrates a cross section view of another embodiment of a RF MEMS varactor; and -
FIG. 12 illustrates a cross section view of yet another embodiment of a RF MEMS varactor. - A zipper varactor for a MEMS switch is described. Reference in the specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.
- In the following description, numerous details are set forth. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form, rather than in detail, in order to avoid obscuring the present invention.
-
FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of awireless system 100.System 100 includes aRF filter 150. In one embodiment,RF filter 150 is constructed of several specific inductors and capacitors, which exhibit a specific RF filtering characteristic at desired frequency range. For wireless applications, several filters with various frequency ranges are implemented to increasesystem 100 performance and functionality. Although shown as a tunable filter, RF filter may be implemented as other types of filters (e.g., a fixed-band filter). - According to one embodiment, MEMS varactors are included in
filter 150 to implement the capacitors. In such an embodiment, the varactor capacitances are adjusted to desired values to tunefilter 150 for another frequency range.Voltage source controller 120 is electrically connected to the MEMS varactors. - In one embodiment,
voltage source controller 120 includes logic for selectively supplying voltages to actuation electrodes (not shown) withinfilter 150 to selectively activateswitch 150. Receiver 130 processes signals that are received atsystem 100 viaantenna 110.Transmitter 140 generates signals that are to be transmitted fromsystem 100. -
FIG. 2A illustrates one embodiment of aRF MEMS varactor 200, whileFIG. 2B illustrates one embodiment of a schematic forvaractor 200.Varactor 200 includes a substrate/dielectric 205, abottom electrode 210 layered over thesubstrate 205, and atop electrode 215 mounted onsubstrate 205. Electrode 215 carries RF signal (“Vs”) that is received or transmitted from 150. According to one embodiment,electrode 215 is a bendable/movable conductive beam that includes a thick metal (e.g., gold). -
Actuation electrodes 230 are also included.Actuation electrodes 230 are mounted onsubstrate 205, and allow a signal to pass fromelectrode 215 upon becoming electrically charged (or actuated). In one embodiment,actuation electrodes 230 are inter-digit actuation electrodes that may be connected and actuated simultaneously for analog applied voltage, or may be actuated separately with individual digital applied voltages. In addition,stoppers 220 are included to maintain a predetermined gap betweenelectrode 215 andelectrodes 230 whenvaractor 200 is in a collapsed state. - In a further embodiment,
actuation electrodes 230 are distributed with several digits underelectrode 215. Eachelectrode 230 may have different sizes. The actuation region is constructed withphysical stoppers 220 to enable collapsing zipping action during actuation. Such a method prevents DC actuation charging since no insulator is used. - The collapsing action of
bendable electrode 215 depends on the voltages applied toactuation electrodes 230. As discussed above,inter-digit actuation electrodes 230 may be either connected and actuated simultaneously by analog voltage or completely separated by individual digital voltages. In various embodiments, analog actuation voltage is not available due to a system setup issue. Thus, multi-digit electrodes enables multi-stage actuation with separate fixed digital voltages. - A capacitor is included within
varactor 200, which includes several parallel sub-capacitors which are distributed between the actuation electrodes as shown inFIG. 3 , which is a top view ofvaractor 200. The sub-capacitors (C1, C2, and C3, in this embodiment) have different sizes. The C1 capacitor has the smallest size, which is located corresponding to the lowest spring constant (k1) ofelectrode 215. This is because that the smallest capacitor has a smallest self-actuation force and the low k1 constant will be adequate to resist this force created by RF signal. - In a further embodiment, the C3 capacitor is the largest, and is located corresponding to the highest spring constant (k3) of
electrode 215 so that the spring force can resist the larger self-actuation force from this large capacitor. Such an arrangement reduces the unwanted self-actuation at the capacitor region induced by RF signal. -
FIG. 4 illustrates a cross section view of another embodiment of aRF MEMS varactor 200. In this embodiment, a dielectric layer 330 is deposited on eachelectrode 210, and is coupled to the capacitor to increase the total capacitance. -
FIG. 5 illustrates one embodiment ofvaractor 200 during actuation of the collapsing zipper varactor. As shown inFIG. 5 ,electrode 215 is actuated with the tip collapsing on the first actuation electrode 230(A). As a result, both C1 and C2 (and slightly on C3) have an increased capacitance due to the reduced air gap with bending oftop plate electrode 215. - According to one embodiment, the change of capacitance is continuous if all
electrodes 230 are connected (i.e., V1=V2=V3=Va) with a single analog actuation voltage (Va). The embodiment ofFIG. 5 may also be achieved by an alternative digital actuation scheme such as V1=Vb, V2=0, V3=0. The V1=Vb causes thebeam electrode 215 to collapse at tip of the beam as shown inFIG. 5 . -
FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment ofvaractor 200 during actuation of the collapsing zipper varactor. For the case of allactuation electrodes 230 being connected (e.g., V1=V2=V3=Va), the increase of actuation voltage results in the further collapsing oftop beam electrode 215 with an zipping action towards its beam anchor as shown inFIG. 6 . The C1 capacitor reaches it maximum and does not contribute to the total increase of capacitance further. - The increase of capacitance continues from the capacitor C2 and C3. Although the
beam 215 spring constant increases as the zipping action continues, the total capacitance may still increase linearly since the C2 capacitor is larger in size. The phenomenon shown inFIG. 6 may also be achieved in the digital actuation scheme by addition of voltage to actuation electrode 230(B) fromFIG. 5 , e.g., V1=V2=Vb, and V3=0. Note that the capacitance of the varactor illustrated is determined by the air gap defined from thephysical stopper 220. If thestopper 220 height is reduced, the total capacitance may be increased. -
FIG. 7 illustrates yet another embodiment ofvaractor 200 during actuation of the collapsing zipper varactor. For the case of allactuation electrodes 230 being connected (e.g., V1=V2=V3=Va), as the actuation voltage continues to increase, thetop beam electrode 215 further collapses and the largest sub-capacitor C3 has the major contribution to the further increase of capacitance as shown inFIG. 7 . For the case of the digit actuation scheme, the occurrence shown inFIG. 7 is achieved when all the electrodes are applied with the voltage, e.g., V1=V2=V3=Vb. -
FIG. 8 is a graph illustrating one embodiment of simulation results for the collapsing zipper varactor. As shown inFIG. 8 , the capacitance ranges from approximately 0.28 pF to approximately 0.84 pF. The tuning ratio is approximately 3, which is much larger than the traditional single gap varactor with similar fabrication simplicity. Note that astopper 220 height of 0.1 um was used in the simulation. With the reduction ofstopper 220 height, the total capacitance can be more than 1 pF. Although not optimized, the simulation result also shows the high linearity of capacitance vs. applied voltage. -
FIG. 9A illustrates a cross section view of another embodiment of aRF MEMS varactor 200 wheretop beam electrode 215 is made up of a low stress gradient polysilicon in order to achieve the ultra-low-voltage actuation (<3V). In such an embodiment, the main actuation component oftop beam 215 is composed of low stress gradient polysilicon for low voltage actuation. - Further, the portion of
electrode 215 not aboveactuation electrodes 230 is composed of metal 950 (e.g. for low resistivity) and is still used in order to have a high quality factor of capacitance. Note that electrode 215 (polysilicon) in such case is no longer used as part of RF signal path.Electrode 215 is the carrier structure and actuation electrode forvaractor 200. The actuation mechanism is same as the metal beam switch described previously.FIG. 9B illustrates one embodiment of a schematic for thevaractor 200 shown inFIG. 9A , andFIG. 10 illustrates a top view of avaractor 150 with atop beam electrode 215 made up of polysilicon. -
FIG. 11 illustrates a cross section view of yet another embodiment of aRF MEMS varactor 200. In this embodiment, a clamp-clamp beam type collapsing zipper varactor is implemented, where thetop electrode 215 is anchored on both sides. In such an embodiment, the collapsing zipping action occurs from center of the top beam in contrast to the cantilever type varactor shown above with respect to the embodiments described above, where zipping action occurs from the edge oftop beam 215. -
FIG. 12 illustrates a cross section view of yet another embodiment of aRF MEMS varactor 200 where a clamp-clamp beam type collapsing zipper varactor is implemented with the polysilicontop beam electrode 215 described above inFIGS. 9A, 9B and 10. - The above described the varactor implements a parallel capacitor with a top bendable plate and inter-digit actuation electrodes to achieve high tuning ratio. The top movable/bendable plate is actuated by the actuation electrodes and collapses towards the bottom electrodes with zipping action. The amount of capacitance change can be achieved by either changing the voltage on all the actuation electrodes simultaneously or apply the fixed voltage on separate (inter-digit) actuation electrodes digitally.
- With the collapsing zipping action, the capacitance tuning may be increased continuously along with an increase of collapsing area. With the inter-digit actuation electrode configuration, each electrode can be individually size-optimized to reduce the required actuation voltage. Moreover, the capacitor is also divided into several plates with various sizes depending on the location on the top plate. The size of the separate capacitors can be optimized to increase the capacitance linearity and reduce the self-actuation due to RF signal across the capacitor.
- Whereas many alterations and modifications of the present invention will no doubt become apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art after having read the foregoing description, it is to be understood that any particular embodiment shown and described by way of illustration is in no way intended to be considered limiting. Therefore, references to details of various embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the claims, which in themselves recite only those features regarded as the invention.
Claims (20)
1. A microelectromechanical (MEMS) varactor comprising:
a substrate;
a plurality of actuation electrodes mounted on the substrate;
a plurality of bottom electrodes mounted on the substrate;
a capacitor having subcomponents mounted on the two or more bottom electrodes; and
a top bendable electrode mounted on the substrate to collapse a first magnitude towards the actuation electrodes whenever a first voltage is applied to one or more of the actuation electrodes and to collapse a second magnitude towards the actuation electrodes whenever a second voltage is applied to the actuation electrodes.
2. The varactor of claim 1 further comprising a dielectric layer deposited on the plurality of capacitor bottom electrodes to increase the capacitance of the capacitor.
3. The varactor of claim 2 further comprising stoppers mounted on the top plate to maintain a predetermined gap between the top electrode and the actuation electrodes.
4. The varactor of claim 1 wherein the top electrode is actuated at a first actuation electrode and not actuated at a second actuated electrode whenever the first voltage is applied.
5. The varactor of claim 4 wherein the top electrode is actuated at the first actuation electrode and the second actuated electrode whenever the second voltage is applied.
6. The varactor of claim 1 wherein the actuation electrodes are inter-digit actuation electrodes.
7. The varactor of claim 6 wherein voltage is applied simultaneously to each digit of the actuation electrodes.
8. The varactor of claim 6 wherein voltage is applied separately to each digit of the actuation electrodes.
9. The varactor of claim 1 wherein the top beam is comprised metal.
10. The varactor of claim 1 wherein the top beam is comprised of polysilicon and metal.
11. The varactor of claim 1 wherein the top beam is a clamp-clamp beam.
12. The varactor of claim 1 wherein each sub-component of the capacitor comprises a different capacitance value.
13. A method comprising:
applying a first voltage to one or more actuation electrodes in a microelectromechanical (MEMS) varactor;
a top bendable electrode bending a first magnitude towards the actuation electrodes in response to the first voltage being applied;
applying a second voltage to the one or more actuation electrodes by increasing the first voltage; and
the top electrode bending a second magnitude towards the actuation electrodes in response to the second voltage being applied.
14. The method of claim 13 further comprising:
applying a third voltage to the one or more actuation electrodes by increasing the second voltage; and
the top electrode bending a third magnitude towards the actuation electrodes in response to the third voltage being applied.
15. The varactor of claim 13 wherein the top electrode bending a first magnitude comprises the top electrode being actuated at a first actuation electrode and not being actuated at a second actuated electrode.
16. The varactor of claim 15 wherein the top electrode bending a second magnitude comprises the top electrode being actuated at the first actuation electrode and the second actuated electrode.
17. A wireless communication tunable filter system comprising:
one or more inductors; and
a microelectromechanical (MEMS) varactor, coupled to the inductors, having:
a substrate;
a plurality of actuation electrodes mounted on the substrate; and
a capacitor having subcomponents; and
a top bendable electrode mounted on the substrate to collapse a first magnitude towards the actuation electrodes whenever a first voltage is applied to one or more of the actuation electrodes and to collapse a second magnitude towards the actuation electrodes whenever a second voltage is applied to the actuation electrodes.
18. The system of claim 17 wherein the actuation electrodes are inter-digit actuation electrodes.
19. The system of claim 18 wherein voltage is applied simultaneously to each digit of the actuation electrodes.
20. The switch of claim 18 wherein voltage is applied separately to each digit of the actuation electrodes.
Priority Applications (5)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11/092,022 US7319580B2 (en) | 2005-03-29 | 2005-03-29 | Collapsing zipper varactor with inter-digit actuation electrodes for tunable filters |
EP06739741A EP1864307A1 (en) | 2005-03-29 | 2006-03-24 | A collapsing zipper varactor with inter-digit actuation electrodes for tunable filters |
PCT/US2006/011134 WO2006105031A1 (en) | 2005-03-29 | 2006-03-24 | A collapsing zipper varactor with inter-digit actuation electrodes for tunable filters |
JP2008504233A JP4885209B2 (en) | 2005-03-29 | 2006-03-24 | Collapsing zipper varactor with interdigitated drive electrode for variable filter |
TW095110733A TWI301990B (en) | 2005-03-29 | 2006-03-28 | Microelectromechanical varactor and wireless communication tunable filter system |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
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US11/092,022 US7319580B2 (en) | 2005-03-29 | 2005-03-29 | Collapsing zipper varactor with inter-digit actuation electrodes for tunable filters |
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US20060226501A1 true US20060226501A1 (en) | 2006-10-12 |
US7319580B2 US7319580B2 (en) | 2008-01-15 |
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US11/092,022 Active 2026-02-01 US7319580B2 (en) | 2005-03-29 | 2005-03-29 | Collapsing zipper varactor with inter-digit actuation electrodes for tunable filters |
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US (1) | US7319580B2 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1864307A1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP4885209B2 (en) |
TW (1) | TWI301990B (en) |
WO (1) | WO2006105031A1 (en) |
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Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
TWI301990B (en) | 2008-10-11 |
JP4885209B2 (en) | 2012-02-29 |
EP1864307A1 (en) | 2007-12-12 |
WO2006105031A1 (en) | 2006-10-05 |
TW200703389A (en) | 2007-01-16 |
JP2008536308A (en) | 2008-09-04 |
US7319580B2 (en) | 2008-01-15 |
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